NAR Study: Young Adults Eagerly Entering, Dominating Housing Market
First-time home buyers are swooning over housing. Millennials are comprising the largest share of buyers at 37%, shows the National Association of REALTORS®’ newly released 2021 Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends report. The youngest buying generation–Gen Z—is also starting to emerge. The majority of millennials and Gen Z buyers are first-time home buyers and are increasingly relying on real estate professionals to navigate their homebuying debut in what has become a very competitive housing market during a pandemic. In particular, younger millennial buyers—ages 22 to 30—were the most likely to cite a real estate agent as a prime information source they used during their home search at 91%, according to NAR’s survey. “Buyers used all tools available to them—whether it be a mobile device, yard sign or an online video–but at some point, nearly all buyers turned to an experienced agent to assist with the transaction,” said Jessica Lautz, NAR’s vice president of demographics and behavioral insights. “This is especially true among younger millennial consumers as they are likely first-time buyers and need help navigating the market and all steps involved in the process.” Continue…https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/16/nar-study-young-adults-eagerly-entering-dominating-housing-market
ST. PATRICK’S DAY 2021
WHO WAS ST. PATRICK? WHY DO WE CELEBRATE ST. PATRICK’S DAY?
Is the new Workweek 3 Days In, 2 Days Out?
Many workers want to continue to work from home, even when the pandemic is over. A new survey from JLL of 2,000 employees globally found that 72% want to be able to work from home more during the workweek, up considerably from 34% before the pandemic. Sixty-six percent are in favor of a hybrid model that mixes in office, home, and a co-working facility.
The idea of a 3-2-2 model is gaining popularity with workers. LinkedIn’s year-end roundup of 2020’s workplace trends called it a one to watch in the new year. The model would allow employees to work three days in the office, two days remotely, and two days off.
Continue… https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/08/is-the-new-workweek-3-days-in-2-days-out
How to Prevent Ice Dams as Snow Melts, Refreezes
As more of the country breathes a sigh of relief as temperatures rise and the countdown to spring shortens, there’s a weather-related concern that remains. Melting snow followed by a cold snap—which is on the way for many parts of the country in the coming week—may cause ice dams to develop and bring a cascade of water into homes. Even if your house hasn’t faced this problem this year or in prior years, it’s still wise to think ahead to avoid the potential mess and repair costs, which can be significant.
Design, building, and remodeling experts at Orren Pickell Building Group in the Chicago area report that the company has been contacted by a number of homeowners who faced the challenge this year due to heavy snowfall and unusually cold temperatures followed by warm days.
Continue…https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/05/how-to-prevent-ice-dams-as-snow-melts-refreezes
First-Time Home Buyer Resources
A Bargain to Buy
Home prices may be rising by double-digit percentages annually, but buying a home still may be more affordable than renting in a number of the nation’s largest cities, according to a new study from realtor.com®. Record-low mortgage rates are helping to tilt more markets in favor of buying over the past year.
Researchers analyzed the monthly cost of buying a median-priced home to the median price of renting a two- to four-bedroom unit in the 50 largest markets this January. They found that buying a home cost the same or was cheaper in 15 of the 50 largest metros, up from 13 a year ago.
Nine more metros were within 5% of leaning in favor of homebuying: Atlanta; Orlando, Fla.; Birmingham, Ala.; Phoenix; Buffalo, N.Y.; Memphis, Tenn.; Washington, D.C.; Las Vegas; and Milwaukee.
Continue…https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/03/02/a-bargain-to-buy
Retirees Seeking Homes Need Help Navigating Areas With Short-Term Rental Bans
Retirees are finding neighborhoods that are free of short-term rental properties attractive as they seek quiet, peaceful areas where they can connect with their neighbors and avoid constant activity from renters. But the properties that retirees often find desirable in destination and resort areas can be prone to having short-term rentals next door.
“The vast majority of U.S. short-term rentals are in destination/resort and small town/rural locations around the country, of which many are the owner’s second homes,” Jamie Lane, vice president of research at AirDNA, an analyst firm for the short-term rental industry, told The Wall Street Journal. From the beginning of 2015 to the beginning of 2020, housing units rented on short-term sites such as Airbnb and Vrbo surged from 450,000 to 1 million, Lane notes
Short-term rental properties are becoming more common as homeowners look to supplement their incomes. Some consumers preparing for retirement target properties where they can generate revenue from short-term rentals until they are ready to move into the house. But once they are ready to occupy the property full-time, they can discover that living close to other short-term rentals is not appealing, real estate professionals say.
Continue…https://magazine.realtor/daily-news/2021/02/26/retirees-seeking-homes-need-help-navigating-areas-with-short-term-rental-bans
